Fascination vs. Horizon

[Angule]

I am considering booking the Southern Caribbean on the Fascination the week of Christmas. I've been on this itinerary before, but it was on the Liberty. I loved the Liberty. I've also been on the Fantasy to the Bahamas from South Carolina, which was my least favorite cruise. The Fantasy just seemed dirty and more cheesy to me, and the crowd seemed different too.  When I did the Southern Caribbean in the past, I was a solo traveler. This time I will be bringing my boyfriend with me, who has never taken a cruise before. I was ready to book it, and then the lady on the phone at Carnival told me that I may not like the Fascination because it's an older ship. She sent me a lot of cruises on the newer ships, and told me to consider those. They are, of course, more expensive. I also like the islands on the Southern Caribbean, and that I can pair a couple days in Puerto Rico beforehand. 

 

So, thoughts on the Fascination? I'm mainly interested in the food, serenity area for adults (loved the quiet cabanas on the Liberty), and entertainment. He's really into comedy, and I'm really into beach music and dancing. I liked the outdoor dance parties that the Liberty had at night. 

 

The other ship that I'm looking at is the Horizon, but it's around $500 more expensive per person. It also leaves from Miami, which is maybe a bit cheaper on flights but less exciting to pair with a land trip.  All new islands for me, but I'm not sure I'd like them better than the Southern Caribbean ones. The ones on the Southern Caribbean were the prettiest that I've seen. Way better than the Bahamas and Mexico. 

 

Thanks in advance!! 

[PhillyFan33579]

Fascination is a Fantasy class ship.  While no two ships are exactly the same, Fantasy gives you a good idea what you will see/experience on Fascination. 

 

Horizon is Carnival’s newest ship and has all the latest features, speciality restaurants, etc, which is why it is significantly more expensive. 

 

Personally I have enjoyed every Carnival ship I have been on, old or new.  But my guess is if you didn't like Fantasy too much, you won’t like Fascination either.  I would factor that in with how much you like the ports and being able to spend time in Puerto Rico when making your decision. 

Edited May 7, 2019 by PhillyFan33579

[christyran1228]

We did the Southern Caribbean itinerary when the Valor was in Puerto Rico a few years ago, and just took a leap of faith and booked the Fascination, as we are going for the ports specifically and will just have to deal with no movies under the stars 😭.  We've been on the Elation before and loved it because it was our first cruise, but I've become accustomed to the big, newer ship also.

 

I think you will find great things to do on both ships, so personally I would choose for the ports you'd like to visit the most and the cost, depending on your budget.

Edited May 7, 2019 by christyran1228

[Angule]

After doing some more research, I see that the Fascination had some upgrades done in 2015. My cruise on the Fantasy was before 2015, so maybe I didn't have those upgrades? For example, I don't remember an adults only space on the Fantasy. 

[PhillyFan33579]

The Serenity areas on Fantasy and Fascination are at the rear of the ship on deck 9. The Serenity areas on Fantasy class ships are the smallest in Carnival’s fleet and they are the only ones without a bar in the Serenity area. 

 

Conquest class ships like Liberty have a much larger, two level Serenity area at the front of the ship that includes a small bar in the Serenity area. 

[Mm13]

I loved the itinerary on Fascination so much that we are going again this year.

 

I think it is important to consider the ports that you are going to as well. You could spend an extra 500 on Horizon and get a bigger and I’m sure more up to date boat or you can take that 500 and spend it towards excursions.

 

Fascination had multiple comedy shows a night. There were always seats and they rotated comedians.

 

The deck was dead at night. Most people I assume were at dinner, comedy show, or one of the main shows. I rarely saw people dancing on the main deck. (And this was last June, so busy season).

 

We went on excursions every day, came back and showered and went to dinner then a comedy show or two each night. Fascination is so port intensive that if one gets off the boat each day I’m not sure how they stay up past midnight lol. 

 

 

[RumpunchGirl]

Following. I"m also booked on Fascination but in 2021. I'm looking forward to the ports the most but I love just getting on a cruise, any cruise! Wish I could cruise more than every few years.

[Angule]

Does the Serenity area have the cabanas/couches on the fascination? And since it’s back of ship instead of front of ship, is it windy? 

 

So, sounds like they don’t do the nighttime music on deck then? I’ve been on 6 cruises, and only one didn’t have a deck party. 

[bakersdozen12]

I’ve been on both ships, and very much enjoyed both. Yes, the Horizon has more. But the Fascination itinerary only has one sea day, so you don’t have time to do much on the ship anyway. Honestly, I would book for the itinerary, not the ship. The ship is just a vessel that gets you from here to there. It’s the islands that you visit that make cruises memorable. 

[SNJCruisers]

6 hours ago, Angule said:

I am considering booking the Southern Caribbean on the Fascination the week of Christmas.

 

The other ship that I'm looking at is the Horizon, but it's around $500 more expensive per person. It also leaves from Miami, which is maybe a bit cheaper on flights but less exciting to pair with a land trip.  All new islands for me, but I'm not sure I'd like them better than the Southern Caribbean ones. The ones on the Southern Caribbean were the prettiest that I've seen. Way better than the Bahamas and Mexico. 

 

Thanks in advance!! 

Slightly confused.  If the Horizon cruise is 500.00 more than the Fascination cruise, then it's an 8 day one over New Year's.  The two Christmas cruises would be the Fascination doing the southern route for 7 days versus the Horizon doing Grand Turk/Amber Cove/Nassau for six days and they are pretty close money wise.  I would choose a six day on a new ship versus a seven day on a Fantasy Class ship.  If the southern route is that important to you, I would choose the 8 day on the Horizon as well because you get an extra day on a newer ship.  Good luck

[Angule]

I ended up booking the 7 day on the Fascination for 789 per person. The other one was an 8 day, but was over 1300 per person. I didn’t realize it was 8 days until after I booked though. I talked to my boyfriend and showed him the routes, and he said that 3 sea days on the newer ship was too much for him. 

 

I booked room E93. Thoughts on it? I’m fine with interior rooms. Was debating a porthole room, but they had bad reviews of being loud and smelling smoke. Could not find any reviews of E93. 

[Mm13]

4 hours ago, Angule said:

I ended up booking the 7 day on the Fascination for 789 per person. The other one was an 8 day, but was over 1300 per person. I didn’t realize it was 8 days until after I booked though. I talked to my boyfriend and showed him the routes, and he said that 3 sea days on the newer ship was too much for him. 

 

I booked room E93. Thoughts on it? I’m fine with interior rooms. Was debating a porthole room, but they had bad reviews of being loud and smelling smoke. Could not find any reviews of E93. 

 

I will be in a porthole in June. I'll update if I smell any smoke. I asked on here a while back for reviews and everyone said that they did not smell smoke in the porthole.

 

I'd say watch the price. Last year the price dropped multiple times before sailing. I think I ended up paying $500 a person for an oceanview last year. This year the boat sold out fast and now there are only a few rooms left. I watched the prices every day and was able to get a price drop. I think this year we paid $520 a person for a porthole.

[jsglow]

6 hours ago, Angule said:

I ended up booking the 7 day on the Fascination for 789 per person. The other one was an 8 day, but was over 1300 per person. I didn’t realize it was 8 days until after I booked though. I talked to my boyfriend and showed him the routes, and he said that 3 sea days on the newer ship was too much for him. 

 

I booked room E93. Thoughts on it? I’m fine with interior rooms. Was debating a porthole room, but they had bad reviews of being loud and smelling smoke. Could not find any reviews of E93. 

 

Congratulations on your choice.  Remember, the San Juan itinerary is Carnival's most ambitious.  You've got a wonderful new port to explore every single day (except 1).  The way to plan out that cruise is to immerse yourself in each of those days by developing a gameplan in advance, preparing for long and interesting excursions, getting out of bed early each day and enjoying, and getting back to the ship for dinner and maybe a little bit of nightlife before hitting the sack at a reasonable hour so you can rinse/repeat.  I love it.  We did that run on both the old Destiny and Valor.  Neither ship was all tricked out.  We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. 

[Saint Greg]

Fascination has the old fantasy class comedy club which is my second favorite comedy club after the Dream Class. 

 

They’ve also changed the bar right outside the comedy club into an alchemy bar which is my favorite bar.

 

I think your room choice will be good. I like empress deck rooms close to the atrium bar on fantasy class and you’re on the right side of it. On the other side you’d be able to hear noise from the theater.

 

I was looking at that cruise but wasn’t sure how I’d like going back to a fantasy class after going Breeze, Dream, Dream, Vista my last four. I ended up pushing it back to 2021 and merrying one of my favorite ships (Breeze) with a great room, great rate, similar itinerary (FLL, St. Maarten, St. Kitts, San Juan, Grand Turk.)

Edited May 8, 2019 by Saint Greg

[ABQrobin]

You are going to be disappointed if you are looking for nightlife and entertainment on the Fascination cruise.  It is so port intensive that the ship is dead by 9pm every night, people are pooped.

 

Have you looked at the Breeze out of Port Canaveral?  Honestly, this is your BF first cruise and you want to impress.  Look at the one going to San Juan, St Thomas, Grand Turk, Amber Cove.  That itinerary is really great and a variety of island types, not just beach destinations.  Breeze should be cheaper than Horizon and IMHO prettier.

[Angule]

The Breeze is 1104 per person that week, so in the middle of the two. 

 

My boyfriend was initially anti cruise because he thought it was just being pampered on a boat. He got excited when I showed him all the off the boat time for the Fascination. It’ll actually be his first time out of the country, as well as his first cruise. For the extra money money we are saving, I’m going to do 3 nights beforehand in San Juan. 

 

I’m still a little worried I won’t like the boat, but I don’t think he will notice the difference or care

[jsglow]

57 minutes ago, ABQrobin said:

You are going to be disappointed if you are looking for nightlife and entertainment on the Fascination cruise.  It is so port intensive that the ship is dead by 9pm every night, people are pooped.

 

Have you looked at the Breeze out of Port Canaveral?  Honestly, this is your BF first cruise and you want to impress.  Look at the one going to San Juan, St Thomas, Grand Turk, Amber Cove.  That itinerary is really great and a variety of island types, not just beach destinations.  Breeze should be cheaper than Horizon and IMHO prettier.

 

AB, she booked.  There's plenty to do in the evening but you are right that they'll be pooped every night.  The absolute best part of this itin is the islands.  Let's get her cranked up for her adventure! 

[jsglow]

5 minutes ago, Angule said:

The Breeze is 1104 per person that week, so in the middle of the two. 

 

My boyfriend was initially anti cruise because he thought it was just being pampered on a boat. He got excited when I showed him all the off the boat time for the Fascination. It’ll actually be his first time out of the country, as well as his first cruise. For the extra money money we are saving, I’m going to do 3 nights beforehand in San Juan. 

 

I’m still a little worried I won’t like the boat, but I don’t think he will notice the difference or care

 

 

San Juan absolutely rocks.  Been there several times.  My son lived there for a year working for FEMA.  You've picked a great way for your BF to dip his toe into international travel.

 

There's 2 types of cruisers.  Those that seek new adventure and those that seek new ships.  I'm the former.  Maybe the two of you are that too.

Edited May 8, 2019 by jsglow

[purplephenom]

Everyone's going to be tired by the end of the night, but honestly, you guys probably will too.

 

If your BF isn't liking the idea of hanging out on a ship, this may be a great cruise for him because you can be barely on the ship.  Get off as soon as you dock, spend all day ashore, and come back as close as you can to all aboard.  At that point it's more of a floating hotel that takes you to cool places than sitting around wondering what to do next.

 

When we did this route, we had good luck finishing our night at the piano bar- we did some other things and ended up there, there was always a crowd til at least midnight.

 

I was pretty against this ship when we booked it (i know how awful does that sound, ugh i don't want to go on that cruise) but i ended up loving it. 

[LittleYiaYia]

If you like the idea of a different port everyday, no lines for anything, 2 comedy shows a night, good Latin music and did I mention no lines.....if you say yes to these questions, you will enjoy this cruise.  The serenity area is nice, but I honestly don't know how much you will use it.  We usually stayed in port until sail away and then got ready for dinner when we returned, so we did not spend much time on serenity.  The bands were very good, they had Latin  music and dancing every night, and a good band in the casino.  There was no room for dancing by this band.  There was usually a guitar player or DJ in the atrium lobby every day and evening. There would be an after show 2 or 3 nights in the atrium with plenty of music and dancing.  We never went into the nightclub, but it was busy most nights when we passed around midnight.

 

We normally stay on the 7th floor.  We have not stayed in E93.  We have stayed in E64 and E69 and E84.  All were very quiet and we love the convenience of being off the atrium and the atrium bar. 

 

Do not go expecting all the bells and whistles of the bigger, newer ships.  What you will get is a clean ship, good food, no lines and the best staff ever.

 

Have fun.  Come back and write a review of your trip.

 

 

 

[soonernstlouis]

Angule,

 

Make sure you book the airfare soon.  It’s never a bargain flying around Christmas & Puerto Rico is certainly no exception.  If Southwest Airlines is convenient from your home airport, it has been reported that their Nov-Dec flights will open up on May 23rd.  Expect the Wanna Get Away fares to sell out quickly.  Have fun!

[SNJCruisers]

4 hours ago, Angule said:

The Breeze is 1104 per person that week, so in the middle of the two. 

 

My boyfriend was initially anti cruise because he thought it was just being pampered on a boat. He got excited when I showed him all the off the boat time for the Fascination. It’ll actually be his first time out of the country, as well as his first cruise. For the extra money money we are saving, I’m going to do 3 nights beforehand in San Juan. 

 

I’m still a little worried I won’t like the boat, but I don’t think he will notice the difference or care

Your BF won't notice any difference because it's his first cruise.  Good luck getting reasonably priced hotel rates right before Christmas in San Juan and hopefully the same on Southwest once bookings open later this month.

It's just semantics, but you're going on a ship, not a boat.  A boat is the small vessel used in an emergency or as a tender to take you ashore.  A boat can be on a ship, but not vice versa.

[LittleYiaYia]

Sooner, Southwest has changed that time frame.  They now say that they will open the schedule through January 5 on May 29.  I know that last year they opened up February and March sometime in June.  We are anxiously awaiting the release of February 2020.  You are so right about the fares selling out quickly,  be prepared to book as soon as the fares are released.

Edited May 8, 2019 by LittleYiaYia
sp

[Angule]

4 minutes ago, SNJCruisers said:

It's just semantics, but you're going on a ship, not a boat.  A boat is the small vessel used in an emergency or as a tender to take you ashore.  A boat can be on a ship, but not vice versa.

 

Yes, I know. I was typing on my phone and not being precise in my language. 

 

1 hour ago, soonernstlouis said:

Make sure you book the airfare soon.  It’s never a bargain flying around Christmas & Puerto Rico is certainly no exception.  If Southwest Airlines is convenient from your home airport, it has been reported that their Nov-Dec flights will open up on May 23rd.  Expect the Wanna Get Away fares to sell out quickly.

 

Thanks for the heads up! I was looking at flights on AA last night, and they're already around 900 per person. Was debating between buying them, or waiting. Usually when I wait prices go up. Do you think the Southwest would be cheaper? And worth waiting on? 

2 hours ago, LittleYiaYia said:

If you like the idea of a different port everyday, no lines for anything, 2 comedy shows a night, good Latin music and did I mention no lines.....if you say yes to these questions, you will enjoy this cruise.  

 

Thank you so much for your comments! You made me feel better about the decision! 

[soonernstlouis]

22 minutes ago, LittleYiaYia said:

Sooner, Southwest has changed that time frame.  They now say that they will open the schedule through January 5 on May 29.  I know that last year they opened up February and March sometime in June.  We are anxiously awaiting the release of February 2020.  You are so right about the fares selling out quickly,  be prepared to book as soon as the fares are released.

Good to know & hopefully helps Angule.  I am partial to SWA & paid much less to SJU from STL than I would have thru American or Delta.